Stock Market & Financial Investment News

Baidu estimates lowered at Credit SuisseCredit Suisse expects Baidu to use the $1.5B proceeds from its debt raising for M&A and lowered estimates to account for increased costs and risks. The analyst believes Baidu may be targeting Kingsoft to hedge against Qihoo (QIHU) or UCweb for its mobile search. The firm reiterates its Underperform rating and lowered its price target to $80 from $82.

Baidu price target lowered to $205 from $256 at Summit ResearchSummit Research analyst Henry Guo lowered his price target for Baidu to $205 citing a "deteriorating" risk/reward profile following the company's Q2 results. The company's Q3 revenue guidance implies year-over-year growth of 34%-37%, a decrease from the June quarter's 38%, Guo tells investors in a research note. Baidu also guided for a "significant increase" of expenses to grow the O2O business, which has limited visibility, Guo writes. He keeps a Buy rating on the stock.

On The Fly: Top stock stories for MondayStocks began the session deep in negative territory, with weakness attributed to the Chinese market suffering its worst one day loss in over eight years. The U.S. indexes remained in the negatives throughout the day as traders prepare for one of the heaviest weeks for this earnings season. ECONOMIC EVENTS: In the U.S., durable goods orders advanced 3.4% in June versus expectations for a 3.2% increase. Excluding transportation items, the core reading was up 0.8% against estimates for a 0.5% gain. In China, the Shanghai composite index fell 8.5% and the Shenzhen composite dropped 7%, with the moves generally attributed to concerns over growth and fears that the government may pull its market support. Note that Dow Jones quoted the country's top securities regulator this morning as saying China plans to increase stock purchases by the state. COMPANY NEWS: Shares of Teva (TEVA) jumped $10.15, or 16.41%, to $72.07 after the generic drugmaker dropped its pursuit of Mylan (MYL), opting instead to acquire Allergan's (AGN) global generic pharmaceuticals business for $40.5B. Allergan shares rose 6.09% for the session, and Mylan fell 14.51% to $56.37 while reiterating its commitment to pursue Perrigo (PRGO), whose shares gained 3.81% to $193.60. MAJOR MOVERS: Among the notable gainers was Wabtec (WAB), which rose $6.59, or 7.21%, to $97.93 after agreeing to buy Faiveley Transport for roughly $1.8B, noting that it expects EPS accretion in 2016. In other M&A news, Magnetek (MAG) finished the session up $17.27, or 53.55%, to $49.52 after Columbus McKinnon (CMCO) agreed to acquire the company for $50 per share, while Beacon Roofing Supply (BECN) jumped $2.62, or 8.71%%, to $32.70 after agreeing to buy Roofing Supply Group at a transaction value of about $1.1B. Also higher were shares of Xueda Education (XUE), which surged 50.63% after Xiamen Insight Investment announced a deal to purchase the company for $5.50 per American Depository Share. Xueda's positive move came in stark contrast to numerous Chinese stocks traded in New York, with Baidu (BIDU) slipping 4.16% and Alibaba (BABA) losing 2.01% after China's Shanghai composite index plunged overnight. Also lower was McGraw Hill Financial (MHFI), declining $6.01, or 5.69%, to $99.59 after agreeing to acquire SNL Financial for roughly $2.225B in cash. Additionally, GrubHub (GRUB) lost 8.37% to $30.99 following a downgrade from Cowen citing competitive concerns and market saturation. INDEXES: The Dow fell 127.94, or 0.73%, to 17,440.59, the Nasdaq lost 48.85, or 0.96%, to 5,039.78, and the S&P 500 declined 12.01, or 0.58%, to 2,067.64.

Baidu July weekly volatility increases into Q2 and outlook Baidu July weekly call option implied volatility is at 99, August is at 49, September is at 39; compared to its 52-week range of 23 to 47, suggesting large near term price movement into the expected release of Q2 results today after the market close.

Analyst says Chinese Internet firms seeing 'healthy' consumer demandChinese Internet stocks are among the many classes of Chinese stocks traded in New York that are weak this morning, though research firm Pacific Crest wrote in a note to investors today that after traveling to China and conducting checks, the firm is more upbeat on e-commerce company 58.com (WUBA), online travel agency Qunar (QUNR) and online video company Youku Tudou (YOKU). WHAT'S NEW: After speaking with Chinese advertising and e-commerce companies, as well as with Chinese companies that are exposed to online services, Pacific Crest analyst Cheng Cheng believes that consumer demand for Internet products and services is "stable and healthy." The decline in the stocks of Chinese Internet companies has created buying opportunities, Cheng believes. He identified 58.com and Qunar as his favorite picks in the sector heading into second quarter results. Both stocks have declined about 20% over the last 1-2 months, but the core businesses of both companies are accelerating, the analyst stated. Specifically, most of 58.com's end markets "are showing strong or at least healthy underlying demand," while Qunar is poised to benefit from an acceleration of demand for its hotel rooms, the analyst believes. Meanwhile, Youku is benefiting from strong demand from advertisers, wrote Cheng, who kept Overweight ratings on 58.com and Qunar and maintained a Sector Weight rating on Youku. WHAT'S NOTABLE: Cheng added that he remains "positively biased" towards Baidu (BIDU) and Alibaba (BABA). Baidu is slated to report its second quarter results tonight. He kept Overweight ratings on both stocks. PRICE ACTION: In late morning trading, 58.com slid 4.6% to $62, Qunar retreated 5.7% to $40.65 and Youku fell 4.7% to $19.20 amid broad weakness in Chinese stocks trading in New York after China's home Shanghai composite index fell 8.5% overnight.

Baidu Q2 results likely to be positive catalyst, says Pacific CrestPacific Crest believes that Baidu's increased disclosures about its segments could enable investors to learn more about its core search business, creating a positive surprise. The firm thinks the stock's valuation is "very attractive," and it keeps an Overweight rating.

Baidu should be bought ahead of earnings, says Summit ResearchSummit Research analyst Henry Guo recommends buying shares of Baidu ahead of the company's Q2 results on July 27. Baidu's revenue should top consensus and strength in both the iQiyi and Nuomi businesses should lead the Q3 outlook above street expectations, the analyst tells investors in a research note. He keeps a Buy rating on the stock with a $256 price target.